All around Minnesota and the United States, one can see “Support our Troops” bumper stickers, billboards, magnets, or some other way of urging support for our military members. Most Americans, when asked, will express respect and support for the military members that sacrifice for the well-being of this nation.

Mental health issues of military members is becoming a hot topic throughout the nation. One issue that seems to be falling through the cracks though is the well-being of military members who suffer with military sexual trauma.

Military sexual trauma is defined as any injury, illness, disability or psychological trauma that results from a sexual assault or sexual harassment while a veteran was serving on active duty or active duty for training.

One in five female soldiers and one in 500 male soldiers report having MST. These numbers are only the reported amount of victims, and it is possible the numbers are much more frequent due to lack of reports caused by shame, embarrassment or other personal factors. Untreated trauma could lead to more extreme consequences of self-medicating or even as extreme as suicide.

The majority of MST victims rely on the Department of Veterans Affairs to treat these trauma issues. A problem arises when the number of victims who need care for MST grows and the resources utilized through Veteran Affairs does not grow. These victims need additional resources to better service the health needs caused by military sexual trauma.

Providing help

One way to support our troops and to provide more resources for sexual trauma victims is to speak up to your congressional representatives to support the Military Sexual Assault Victim Empowerment Act, or Military SAVE Act.

The Military SAVE Act would provide vouchers for victims of military sexual assault to seek private provider care outside of the network of the Veteran Affairs. The voucher would pay a private provider for military sexual trauma treatment up to the cost that would be charged for treatment through the Department of Veteran Affairs. This voucher gives the victims of MST the financial opportunity to seek more timely treatment and more personalized care that may better suit the needs of the victim. If a victim of MST has resentful feelings toward anything military related due to the trauma, would it really be beneficial to have that victim see a therapist through a military-associated provider?

The more options a victim has, the greater the chances of finding the best available care.

Support bill

Multiple reasons can be assumed why the Military SAVE Act has a limited chance of becoming a law even though the bill portrays substantial potential to serve military sexual assault victims.

One reason that could be assumed or speculated is that the Department of Veterans Affairs would lose money due to outsourcing and funding treatment not provided by VA affiliates if the Military SAVE Act passes. Sadly, even care facilities are greatly influenced by the dollar and may sacrifice what could benefit the overall well-being of the people these facilities are meant to care for to avoid taking a financial hit.

I urge you to take action and reach out to build support for the Military SAVE Act by contacting your political and Veteran Affairs representatives and sharing your support for a higher quality of care for the victims of military sexual assault.

As a veteran, I feel that overall care for military members should be a high priority of the Department of Veteran Affairs, politicians and any person who wants to empower and “Support the Troops.”

This is the opinion of Zachary Mages, a St. Cloud resident and Army veteran.